Some of you may be or may not be aware that a fund was set up by Richards parents after he passed away last year. The purpose of the fund is to raise enough finance to build a skatepark in Richards home town of Barry, Wales. This skatepark would be an ever lasting memorial to Richard and what he stood for.

Fundraising has been ongoing since Richard passed and now with it being 1yr since that date there is a new drive to raise funds. On the 6th July it was Richards Birthday and to highlight this his parents released the Richard Taylor Memorial Wristband. Hopefully these bands will help to raise enough finance to build the skatepark in his memory. Bands will be available at events through out the summer in the UK and Europe. They are also being distributed through skate shops nationwide. If your not going to these events or can’t get hold of the bands, and you wish to reserve your bands then please see the pic for further information.

Since I broke my camera last time I sessioned Manchester there has been a distinct lack of photos being taken. I did try at the Welsh Open, but it was a pain in the arse not being able to focus. Well, the insurance have paid out (very impressed with Legal and General home insurance) and I have a new toy on order. It’s nothing special, but it’s a step in the right direction.

What I’ve decided on is a great deal from Jessops. It’s the Canon EOS 300D. The digital SLR for the masses. It doesn’t do a hell of a lot more than my old Sony DSC-F717 but it definitely has some improvements. The most obvious if the fact that it’s an SLR, so more flexible, but I also like the fact that the zoom and manual focus are mechanical rather than electronic, and the viewfinder is a pentamirror, not an LCD panel.

The package I’m going for includes the black 300D (looks better) with the 18-55mm EF-S lens, battery grip and Speedlite 420EX flash. It’s looks pretty good, feels great and is putting me on the road to better kit later on. I just hope I keep this one in good condition. Know anyone who wants to buy some s/h Sony accessories..?

Seriously bad news received today. Rich Taylor, one of the worlds top skaters has died after losing his battle with injuries sustained earlier this week.

He was skating with friends when he lost control at high speed, colliding with a lamppost. He broke both of his legs, but worse than that, he hit his head causing bleeding in the skull and swelling of the brain. Even with these serious injuries, and though he was in a coma, it still came as a huge shock to hear he didn’t pull through. This guy was a legend, an institution within skating and an all around star. It is almost inconceivable that he is no longer with us.

Personally, he has been an inspiration for as long as I can remember. He was one of the first British skater that I ever heard about getting sponsored (by Bauer in ’97) and he was a true embassador for them for a number of years. He was someone who just seemed at all times to be skating for the pure fun of it with zero attitude and competitive only with his own goals.

My thoughs go out to those close to Rich. There’s really not much more I can say than he will be sorely missed. Not only by those lucky enough to know him, but also by many thousands of others who have been inspired by him over the years.